Develop a new skill and join Hartlepool Camera Club

The answer could lie with the Hartlepool Camera Club which is about to launch a new course for beginners.

It will start on Wednesday, July 6, from 7pm to 9pm and will run each week at the club’s base which is within the People Centre in Raby Road.

Syllabus secretary Margaret Mills urged people to come along and join the growing membership.

She said: “It is for six weeks and it will cover aspects such as basic photography, how to use a digital camera, composition and what makes a good photograph.”

Margaret urged anyone with a camera to bring it with them and added: “We will go over the basics.

“We will cover the full use of the camera instead of just sticking it on automatic. It is all about getting the best out of the camera using manual settings.”

There’s no direct charge for the new classes but people who come along will be expected to join the camera club which has a charge of £15 for a year’s membership.

The club holds meetings twice a week.

The first is on a Monday when activities can include a guest speaker. competition or a studio night. That session runs from 6.30pm to 9pm.

The Wednesday meeting, from 7pm to 9pm, is the club’s practical night when members can use the studio, or use it as a social meetings to talk about photographs.

Margaret added: “We can talk about mounting photographs for competitions, how to get the exposure right and how to get it sharp.”

Newer members can also show more experienced photographers their work and “get a bit of constructive criticism.

“If the weather is good, we can have trips out,” added Margaret.

The club is affiliated to the Northern Counties Photographic Federation (NCPF) and is open to allcomers. It has a spacious and well-equipped portrait studio, complete with professional lighting and backdrops.

It has almost 100 members. Anyone wanting more details can either ring Margaret on (01429) 686983, Willa Laidler on (01429) 296371, or visit the website at http://www.hartlepoolcameraclub.com.